Iannone on Jerez: “One of the most positive tests”

The ‘Maniac’ follows up the Spanish GP with some useful track time in the #JerezTest

Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had some good pace at the start of the race in Jerez, before unfortunately crashing out of contention in tough, hot conditions. However, the Italian was happy with the start at least and got in the fight before the fall:

Andrea Iannone: “Unfortunately we didn’t finish the race, but I’m very happy about the first four laps. I am disappointed and sad about the fall because we always want to take home the best result possible. I started well, I made good laps but when the tyres started to slide in either the front or the rear the situation became difficult to manage. I think the temperature changed a lot, and this made the track very slippery and tricky for all the riders.”

After the disappointment of race day, the Official Test on Monday was a different story – with Iannone saying it was one of the most positive tests he’s had with the Hamamatsu factory. The Italian was P13 on a 1:39.654 and put in an impressive 92 laps.

Andrea Iannone, Team SUZUKI ECSTAR, Jerez MotoGP™ Official Test

AI29: “We could focus on many different setup configurations and I’m pretty satisfied because we could find a positive direction to continue the development. My feeling is that this one has been one of the most positive tests I’ve ever done with Suzuki, it’s been very intense and productive, we really tested so many things and I’m satisfied. We could explore new configurations with the balance of the bike that made me feel more confident. Also, we tried the Michelin front tyre: I like it, although to be honest I was expecting a bigger improvement. I feel better, but not that much better. We are also working on the electronics but we need some patience, for the moment we are more focusing on the rideability of the bike, on my feeling, and step-by-step we are getting there.”

Suzuki also remained in Jerez for one more day on Tuesday for a private test, where new, temporary teammate Sylvain Guintoli – replacing injured Alex Rins – shared the box with Iannone ahead of the next race in Le Mans.